Automatic tensioning device for reels



June 7, 1949. s. SCHNELL AUTOMATIC TENSIONING DEVICE FOR REELS Filed Feb. 24, 1945 mL. mu m 4 NN N\ 5 H R I 6 EC 0 5 E A 2. I: I! V .4 Z 2 I 3 E L .2 M 2 1 z .m 5 2 3 2Zn.m 2 7w 2 a f 6 0v 2 5 I 3 Q8 3 4 a 3 ing drawings sets and Patented June 7, 194

AUTOMATIC rausromuonavrcr. Foa REELS Steve Selmell, Kirkwood, Mm, asslgnor to Wagner Electric Corporation, St. Louis, Mo., a corporation of Delaware Application February a4, 1945, Serial No. 519,539

A further object of the invention is to pro-- vide a tensioning device in which an automotive brake secured to a reel shaft is controlled by a valve mechanism connected to a pivoted idler roller whose position is a function of the web or strand tension.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tensioning device for a web or other flexible material withdrawn from a reel in which the movements ofthe idler roller controlling the pressure admitted to the brake is prevented from having wide fluctuations of movement therein in order to keep the tension in the withdrawn webmaterial constant.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a master cylinder control in a tensioning tension is found necessary device in which the movement of the idler roller I about which the web or strand is passed is responsive to the tension in the web or strand material, thereby controlling the operation of the master cylinder governing the hydraulic brake operatively connected with the reel shaft.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a hydraulic brake control for a reel of flexible material in which snubber or shook absorber devices associated with the idler roller are responsive to the tension in the flexible material to cause slower'and more uniformly steady changes in the control valvegoverning the brake. Other and further objects of the inventionw'ill occur to those skilled in the art to which this application pertains as the description proceeds which, taken in connection with the accompanyforth a preferred embodiment of the invention but such disclosure is not to be construed as a limitation of the invention which is limited only by the appended claims, any and all modifications, alterations and 4 Claims. (Cl. 242-) coming within the spirit deemed to be included variations of structure and scope thereof are herein.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a schematic view of the essential elements of the tensioning device;

Figure 2 shows-in detailthe construction of the idler roller support; and

Figure 3 shows an end elevational view of the idler support with the snubber devices attached.

The necessity of keeping web or strand tension substantially constant in devices such as printing presses, strip paper, wire and cloth printing mills, et cetera, is recognized in the several arts as well as in others cognate thereto. A constant in the paper mill and printing press arts et cetera because the correctness of the impression and the relationship of the position of the'roller with respect to the web material passing the same must be constant in order to maintain the correctness of the impressions in the several roll passes through which the web material is delivered. Various devices have been developed in the arts for controlling tension, all of which are rather involved and complicated in design. It is the purpose of the instant invention to produce a tensioning means for a reel which employs well-known mecha- 'nism commonly used in the automotive and related arts that are applied to the reel in a new and novel way in order to produce a result superior to that in the prior art.

- The objects and advantages sought above are achieved in the device disclosed in the accompanying drawings in which the numeral I illustrates a reel shaft on which a reel or supply of a web or other flexible strand 2 is wound and which is preferably of paper or other fibrous material. A suitable frame is customarily provided on which this reel may be mounted in order to support the same for rotation. Operativelyassociated with the reel is a brake mechanism comprising a pair of automotive type brake shoes 3-4 pivoted to a suitable backing plate (not shown). Securable to the backing plate is a brake cylinder or pressure fluid-operated motor 4 whose function is to expand the shoes into engagement with the brake drum 30 mounted on the reel shaft I. Each of these devices, as in- "so dicated above. is conventional in the art and its auaus o 3 operation is believed clearly understood. The flexible material 5 is passed around an idler roller 6 rotatably mounted in pivoted frame elements 1 and 8 between which a member 5a is held in parallel relation to roller 8. The frame elements 1 and 8 are secured to a shaft 5 Journaled in appropriate supports I and II that may be secured to the frame of the press or other device receiving the web material. After passing about-roller 5, the web material is led around the second idler roller l2 before entering the press or other mechanism receiving the flexible material 5. The shaft 9 has a. lever or arm l3 rigidly secured thereto rotatable with the shaft. An adjusting screw i4 is rotatably disposed in an ear or other nut element I 5 secured to an appropriate base having a spring |8 operatively associated therewith and the other end of spring I5 is connected to the free end of lever l3. This mechanism including the adjusting screw 4 and spring It, acts to initially tension the flexible material 5 to the proper degree.

The brake cylinder 4 is operated by a master cylinder or compensator I1 driven by a compressed air motor |8 rigidly connected to the compensator IT. A more detailed construction of these members is shown in United States Patent No. 2,361,419 (see parts 13 and 14). A conduit I9 is connected to the exhaust side of compensator l1 leading to brake cylinder 4 in a well-' known manner. The conduit l9 has a fitting therein which is connected to brake cylinders or brake operating motors 2| and 22 provided with protective boots 2| and 22', respectively, and acting as shock absorbers 0r snubbers for arm I3. One end of each of these motors is pivoted to arm I 3 by means of appropriate pivot pins and the other ends of the motors are appropriately secured to fixed parts of the machine with which the reel is associated. A conduit 23 is connected to fitting 20 and leads to the brake cylinders or motors 2| and 22. A detailed disclosure of the construction of these cylinders is shown in United States Patent No, 2,254,887 which shows a similar motor device. Regulating valves 24 and 25 are connected in the conduits leading to the respective motors 2| and 22 in order to control the ingress and egress of pressure fluid thereto.

Th air motor l8 has a conduit 28 connected thereto having a shut-off valve 21 inserted therein. The conduit 26 is connected to a metering type control valve 28, shown in detail in United States Patent No. 2,259,809, which has a conduit 29 connected thereto leading from anappropriate source of compressed air. The movable element of valve 28 is mechanically connected to arm 1 of the roller mechanism by means of linkage 28a operatively connected to member Go on the idler mechanism 5. Therefore, valve 28 determines or measures the flow of compressed air to motor l8. The power output of the air motor l8 operating compensator or master cylinder I! determines the presure admitted to brake cylinder, 4.

The operation of the above device is dependent upon the position of idler mechanism 6, 1', and 8 with respect to valve 28. Since valve 28, as previously indicated, measures the amount of pressure fluid to be applied to the brake cylinder 4, it follows that said valve 28 is responsive to the tension in flexible material 5. The positioning of frame element 1 of the idler mechanism is, therefore, a direct function of the ten- .and 22 act against or oppose each other.

sion in flexible material 5, consequently controlling the brake shoes 3-: and brake motor 4 as previously indicated.

The operation of the above described device is dependent upon the position of idler roller 6 and its supporting arms relative to valve 28. The spring It seeks to rotate the idler assembly counter-clockwise about shaft 9 and since frame elements 1 and 8 are mechanically linked to the actuator on valve 28, any counter-clockwise movement will allow more air to pass to motor ll. Counter-clockwise motion is only possible when too much slack is present in web 5. The increased quantity of air admitted to motor l3 by valve 28 will cause the brake motor 4- to urge shoes 3, 3 into engagement with drum 30 to slow down reel 2. If reel 2 travels too slowly, web 5 will rotate the idler assembly in a clockwise direction about shaft 9 against spring N, thereby reducing the flow of compressed air to motor i3 and reducing the pressure of shoes 3, 3 and drum 30, thereby allowing reel 2 to increase its rate of speed and enabling web 5 to be unwound at a greater rate. The positioning of idler roller 6 and arms 1, 8 is, therefore, a direct function of the tension in web 5 which thereby controls the brake assembly 3, 4, and 30.

Wide swings of movement in idler roller 6 and arms I, 8 are prevented by pressure fluid devices 2| and 22 functioning as shock absorbers or snubbers. As will be noted, these have one end pivoted to opposite sides of lever l3 and the other ends of the devices are suitably pivotally anchored to the machine frame on which the device is mounted. Each of devices 2| and 22 is connected to conduit is and valves 24 and 25 are connected in the conduit ahead of the devices and devices 2| and 22 are, therefore, connected to the compensator H. The devices 2| The fluid flows freely from one to the other when the idler roller 6 is raised or lowered. The valves are adjusted to regulate this flow and thereby control the rate of swing of roller 6 and its frame elements 1, 8. The rate of flow is also a function of th tension in web 5, the pressure in conduit I9, and the tension in spring IS, in addition to the setting of valves 24 and 25. When valves 24 and 25' are properly adjusted, movement of .pressure fluid from one to the other will be regulated to slow up the swinging motion of roller 6. The motion of roller 6 and arm I3 is thereby stabilized, enabling the material 5 to be withdrawn from reel 2 at a more uniform rate.

Having fully described my invention, that which I claim as novel and desire to protect by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In an unreeling device; a reel for web material; a brake for said reel; a pressure fluid motor for actuating said brake; a compensator for supplying pressure fluid for actuating said pressure fluid motor; means for actuating said compensator; a source of power for said means; an idler mechanism for said reel which includes a pivoted frame having a roller therein about which said web material passes; a spring connected to said idler mechanism. for tensioning said web material; a pair of shock absorbers operatively associated with said idler mechanism for preventing excessive movements in said idler mechanism; means operated by said idler mechanism for controlling said source of power for said means; and means for establishing come inunication between said compensator, said shock absorbers and said pressure fluid motor.

2. In an unreeling device, a reel for web material; a brake for said reel; a pressure fluid motor for actuating said brake; a compensator for supplying pressure fluid for actuating said pressure fluidmotor; a second pressure fluid motor for actuating said compensator; a source of. pressur fluid for operating said second pressure fluid motor; an idler mechanism for said reel Which includes a pivoted frame having a roller therein about which said web material passes; means connected to said idler mechanism for tensioning said web material; a pair of shock' absorbers operatively associated with said idler mechanism for preventing excessive movements-in said idler mechanism; means operated by said idler mechanism for controlling said source of pressure fluid for said second pressure fluid motor; and means for establishing communication between said compensator, said shock absorbers and said pressure fluid motor.

3. In an unreeling device, a reel for web material; a brake for said reel; a hydraulic motor for operating said brake; a compensator for supplying pressure fluid for said hydraulic motor; a pressure fluid operated motor for actuating said compensator; a source of pressure fluid for said last mentioned motor; an idler mechanism for said reel which includes a pivoted frame having a roller therein about which said web material passes as it is unwound from said reel;

a spring connected to said idler mechanism for tensioning said web material; shock absorber means connected to said idler mechanism for preventing wide swings of movement in said idler mechanism; a valve for said source or pressure fluid; means connecting said valve and said idler mechanism to thereby vary the output of said last mentioned pressure fluid motor; and

means for establishing communication between said compensator, said shock absorber means and said hydraulic motor.

4. In an unreeling device; a reel for web material; a brake for said reel; a hydraulic motor.

for operating said brake; a compensator for supplying pressure fluid for said hydraulic motor; a pressure fluid operated motor for actuating said compensator; a source of pressure fluid for said last mentioned motor; an idler mechanism for said reel which includes a pivoted frame having a roller therein about which said web material passes as it is unwound from said reel; means connected to said idler mechanism for tensioning said web material; a shock absorber disposed on each side of said idler mechanism for preventing wide swings of move-' ment in said frame; a valve for said source of pressure fluid; means connecting said valve and said pivoted frame to thereby vary the output of said last mentioned pressure fluid motor; and means for establishing communication between said compensator, each absorber and said hydraulic motor for enabling said shock absorbers to be responsive to pressure fluid produced by said compensator.

STEVE SCHNELL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 954,089 Goss Apr. 5, 1910 1,610,713 Scott Dec. 14, 1926 1,652,299 Carpenter Dec, 13, 1927 2,164,600 Tyler July 4, 1939 2,361,419 Schnell Oct. 31, 1944 

